Council for Exceptional Children, Reston, VA. Center for Special Education Technology.

One of nine brief guides for special educators on using computer technology, this guide is specifically directed to special education teachers and encourages them to become critical consumers of technology to ensure its most effective use. Brief descriptions of the various uses of the computer in the school setting--as an instructional tool, as an administrative/management tool, and as a telecommunication device--are provided. Several suggestions for selecting software include previewing for such features as those that allow students to monitor and evaluate their own progress. Variations in computer input and output devices to make the machines accessible to students with various disabilities are briefly considered. Teachers are encouraged to become familiar with the hardware and its uses, enroll in an introductory computer course, learn to use a program with immediate use such as word processing, and determine how to integrate the computer with the curriculum. Suggestions for introducing students to the computer include involving parents, letting students with computer experience help other students, and establishing rules about using the equipment. The need for keyboarding skills is stressed. Lists of 10 readings, 4 organizational resources, 8 periodicals, and 5 guides to software resources are provided. (DB)